Gary Meggs Biography

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Gary got his start in music at the age of 9, when he was told he was too small to play football at the local Boy’s Club in his home town of El Dorado, Arkansas, USA. Instead he joined the choir and embarked on a love affair with music. One year later, Gary was introduced to the saxophone by his first sax teacher Bill Craig. 

 In 1972, he heard the jazz band from Henderson State University perform at his high school, featuring Earl Hesse. When Earl stood up and played a killer solo he immediately knew, “I want to do that!” After his military training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, Gary enrolled at HSU. Dr. Hesse became a life-long mentor and friend.

 Gary has toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Harry James Orchestra, and his own Ezekiel 3:18 Band. He has played with such notable artists as Lou Marini, Tom ”Bones” Malone, and Doc Severinson among dozens of others. He has spent over 40 years as a music educator, with numerous awards for his concert and jazz bands. 

His 2012 University of Arkansas–Monticello Jazz Band performed at the Midwest Clinic, resulting in an invitation to tour China in 2013. The 2014 Jazz Band was named Outstanding Band at the Elmhurst Jazz Festival. 

Gary has released many albums over the years as a solo artist in the Jazz and Christian genres. In 2020 he was inducted into the Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame for his work as both an artist and an educator.

Bryan Jefferies is Gary’s long-time friend and collaborator–producing, arranging, engineering and performing on his latest albums. Gary and Bryan were on tour with River City Street Band in 1978, and have worked together ever since.